davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-09-29
Seals.

Sealing letter is nowadays the work
of an instant, but how was it accom-
plishcd before the invention Of gummcd
envelopes9 A correspondent of Le
Livre describes the methods of sealing
which have been employed from the re-
motcst antiquity.
The first seals consisted of ring
affixed to clay, and later to chalk or .
mixture of pitch. wax, and plaster. The
use of wax did not become general until
the Middle Ages. Becswax, yellowed
by time, was the first variety of it used.
and, after it, came sealing wax mixed
with white substance Red and green
wax came in during the twelfth century.
and. hundred years later, the list Of
colors was supplemented by nearly all
those row to be found in wax.
In the times of the First Empire, un-
der Bonaparte, the French people began
TO use waters which were brought from
Italy by the soldiers OF the French army.
These waters were cut with punch
from thin leaf made of flour. Finally
eummed envelopes began everywhere to
replace the sealing wax and waters.
The first of these envelopes were made
in England about the year 1910.
The seals chosen by different people
are often interesting, as indicating per-
sonal tastes. Goeth., after his return
IRON Italy, sealed his letters with an
antique head, such rs that of Socrates,
Minerva or Lcda. The seal OF the as
tronomer Lalande had a ship engraved
upon it, aud that OF Meyerbecr, the COM
poser. had Tyre, with the legead, al
vs. in tune
Victor Hu~o's seal was very simple,
merely the letters V. II. so arranged
that when inverted they formed the ci-
lher A. H.-IYouth's Companion.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-09-29
"iIuygipg" Criminals,

In my business we learn to detect the
foibles and weakness of men aud wom-
en-, says police photographer in the St.
Louis Globe Democrat, lut in the Jail
you would not expect to find any vanity
in the matter of personal appearance.
Nevertheless there are many prisoners
who take pride in securing good neg
ative. Ordinary prisoners never object
to the process of "mugging," because
they are too ignorant to understand the
advantage of picture in the hands of
the police. High toned crooks from
the East always object. Sophia Lyons,
the famous New York shoplifter, cried
and raved like fury when brought be-
fore me, but finding the detectives in
exorable, she dried her eyes, primped
her hair, adjusted her bonnet, daube a
little powder on her checks and told me
to go ahead; that, if she couldn't help
it, she would have good portrait.
Jane Cosley, another big shoplifter, sat
smiling as sweet as an angel, after hav-
ing made desperate fight, clawing like
a catamount, and her face is one of tho
prettiest in my collection.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-09-29
Coca Culture.

Coca, shrub growing wild on the
mountains OF Peru and Bolivia, is coming
into extensive cultivation on account of
the rapidly increasing demand for CO.
caine, the principal alkaloid obtained
from its leaves. The plant resembles
the tca-plant, is cultivated in rows
like Indian corn, and in two years at
tains its full height of five or six feet,
bearing leaves about two inches long,
with white blossoms and red berries.
The leaves are gathered several times q
year, and the bushes produce for many
years. The peculiar virtues of coca as
nerve stimulant have long been
known, not only to medical men, but to
the Peruvian Indians and miners, who
chew the leaves mixed with quick-lime,
much as tobacco is chewed, and who
are thus enabled to resist fatigue to a
remarkable degree. 1t was not until
1860, however, that the active princi-
pie was isolated, while the great value
of cocaine as a local anasthetic was
accidentally discovered only some three
years ago.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-09-29
A Spanish Bull.RIng.

The bull.ring Of Granada like most
Of those In the larger cities Of Spain, Is
vast amphithcatrc, built of wood, and
capable of seating perhaps 10000 per-
sons. BY accident we came to this huge
structure in the course of our meander-
ings, and we were conducted through it by
an attendant. In the stables were num-
Der of wrctched-looking steeds, aged
and raw.boncd as Don Quixotc's "Rosin-
nate" yet consilcr good enough to be
slain by doughty bulls for the amuse-
ment of the gentle danes and spirited
young dons OF Granada. On the stockade
surrounding the area were great strcaks
and blotches of blood, which had spurtcd
from the wounded animals in various
combats. At the same time that these
were pointel out to us it was explained
how, in the practice of tho noble art of
bull-fghting, horse would often have
his sides ripped open by an infuriated
bull and the plucky steed would never
thcless 90 on sometimes with the fight,
although his entrails would trail
upon the ground and dangle about his
feet. We were then conducted to the
chambers where the matadores dressed
themselves and where were kept the
trappings for ornamenting the horses,
and the apparatus for provoking the
bulls. Among the articles of the latter
sort were long poles with sharp spikes in
the end, masks, dummy horses and va
rious other devices and instruments of
torture, cunningly adapted to arouse the
wrath of peaceably disposed bull and
convert him into an infuriat ed demon.
In one of the rooms improvised as a
chapel, there were crucifixes and other
pious paraphcrnalia by which the last
offices of the church might, in case of
sudden emergency, be administered to a
mortally wounded bull-ighter, so that
his gentle soul might not take its flight
unshriven. There appeared to be no
similar provision for the bulls and horses,
they being only brutes and having no
souls.-[American Magazine.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-09-29
How to Bear Burdens.

Mental burdens will be far more easily
borne if they are placed, as much as
practicable, out of sight. When we
gaze upon them they increase in size.
When in our thoughts we emphasize and
dwell on them, they sometimes grow al
most unbearable. 1t i, we'll enough to
face trouble when it comes to us, to
measure it and know its weight, that we
may summon up courage and strength
sufficient to endure it; but, this donc,
let US place it where it may no longer bo
in constant sight-drag it to the light,
to dwell upon its weight, and to claim
sympathy for being obliged to bear it.
When the emphasis of life is laid on the
cheerful and attractive side, its real bur-
dens will be borne lightly, happiness
will abound and be diffused, and the
value of life be multiplied tcn-fold.-
baptist Weekly.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-09-29
Left His Address at Home.

An old farmer named Kent was well
known character some years ago in
Mount Vernon and Vienna. He had
many pcculiaritics and eccentrictes
which earned for him a variety Of nick
names, at which, by the way, he never
took any offence. In some way this old
fellow had some claim to pension. He
went down to Augusta to be examined
by the physician there for that purpose.
He was found to have disabilities that
warranted his obtaining pension, but
he was very much excited at the length
of the examination and the variety Of
questions put to him. Finally he was
asked his address. "Oh, yes, OF course" !"
he replied, "you'll want my address,
but bless me what did l do with itT'
After fumbling in all his pockets, he
looked up helplessly and said, 'By gra-
cious, must have left my address at
home. " Lewiston (Me.) Journal.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-09-29
so. LONDONDERRY. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1887.
Tho Average Persian.

Let me try to give faithful portrait
Of the average Persian. Under thin
venecring of good nature, hospitality,
politcncss and amiability, ho conccals
every one of the seven deadly sins. It
is significant fact that no words cor
responding to our love, gratitude, virtue,
honor, patriotism, conscience or pcni-
tenco exist in modern Persia. The
words serving as substitutes have alto
gether different meaning. "Takewah"
means picty, or rather observance Of the
ritualistic laws; "hunner" does not mean
honor, but smartncss and cunning;
''nemeki hacram" Qiterally, good salt
and bad salt only refer to the rules Of
hospitality; ''pcshimani" is not peni-
tcncc, but grief at the non-success of
scheme, and "ishk" is not love, but the
only feeling the Persian knows under
that name.
That the Persian is phenomenal liar
is well known, and need not be dwelt
upon. Like most towards he is also
fond Of intlicting pain where he may do
so safely. Cruelty seems Unborn with
him. have seen little children Of both
sexes stoning poor cur to death and
literally hacking miserable cat to
pieces, just for the fun of the thing, and
without any interference from their pa
rents, often ccen with their active CO.
operation. The death penalty is usually
carried out with view of making the
culprit undergo the most horrible tor
lures, and OF affording grateful sight
to the callous populace. On the Koop-
Kapu in Teheran, the square in the
heart OF the city where the executions
usually take place, half score of de-
linquents are often paced on
the raised platform, surmouut-
cd by the pole painted a
brilliant scarlet, and in fu l sight of the
rabb.c assembled they have their throats
cut, their hearts torn out, their cars and
noses slit, their tongues pulled out, their
eyes scared, or boiling pitch poured over
their naked bodies, to everybody's great
de'ectation, except the parties directly
concerned. Along the highways one
meets, stuck in the ground, short hollow
pillars with the upper opening closed
with gypsum. Each of these contains
man, condemned criminal, walled
up alive. Faint groans may often be
heard by passcrs-by, for this mode of
death is slow and very painful; but no.
body thinks it worth his While to libcr-
ate the poor wretch or to terminate. his
sufferings by a mcrciful blow. "Kis-
metz they say. "Such is fatc9"-lCos.
mopolitan.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-09-29
PEARLS OF THOUGHT.

All is but lip wisdom which wants
experience.
Wealth aud honors can never cure
a wounded conscience.
Man must at some time in his life
recognize his nothingness.
He who would avoid sin must not stand
in the doorway of temptation.
One good act today Is worth thous-
and in contemplation for some future
time.
"Desire is tree in leaf; hope is tree
in flower. and enjoyment is tree in
fruit"
In an angry moment man may do
what whole lifetime of repentance can.
not undo.
1t is better to have thorns in the flesh
with grace to endure them, than to have
no thorns and no grace.
lie who does base thing in zeal for
his friend, burns the gold.n thread that
ties their hearts together.
Good breeding i, defined by Lord
Chatham to be bencvolcnce in triaes, or
the preference Of Others to ourselves In
the daily occurrences of life.
Honor is like the eye which cannot
suffer the least impurity without dam
age; it is precious stone, the price OF
which is lcssened by the least flaw.
We have all the chance of meeting
with some pity, some tenderness, some
charity, when we are dead; it is the
living only who cannot be forgiven.
Many persons fancy themselves friend
ly when they are only oflicious. They
counsel not so much that you should be-
come wise as that they should be recog-
nized as teachers of wisdom.
Do not keep the alabaster boxes of
your love and Tenderness sealed up un-
til your friends are dead. Fill their
lives with sweetness, speak approving,
cheering words while their hearts can be
thrilled by them.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-09-29
New Soup Pot for the French Army.

NcW soup IOt IOf tHe TIeHCH army.
Without his soup the French soldier
is nothing, and during the Franco-Gcr-
man campaign Zouaves and Tiraillcurs
were often surprised by Prussians or Ba-
varians while engaged in sEimming their
pot au feu or watching the simmering OF
their soupe aux potreaux.
Gen. Forron proposes to prevent any
recurrence of this disastrous state Of
affairs by adopting campaign cooking
pot, which shall enable each particular
Dumanct or Tommy Atkins to make his
own soup, and that of course more
speedily than when he had to prepare it
Tor three besides himself in the rather
cumbersome and complicated apparatus
which was set down In the books OF the
army stores and the inventories in the
barrack rooms as the utensile quatrc.
The new soup pot was tried with sue
cess some years ago in France and AL
gena, but in 1882 it was rejected by
Gen. Billot on the ground that it would
destroy esprit de corps by isolatlng the
soldiers fr, m each other. Gen Ferron
combats this view by alleging that the
soup may be divided between taree at
least when made in the new pot, aud
that in any case comradeship was not so
we'll fostered under the quadruple re-
gime as to neccssitatc the continuance
of the old marmites; but his great rta-
sons for the change are based on the
speed and the saving which the new pot
will realize-[St. James Gazette.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-09-29

The Ceyloncsc, or Singhalesc, as they
are called, from the native name OF
their lovely island, are mild and inof-
fensive race of people. They have the
reputation, indeed, of being rank cow
ards, but this is rather the character OF
most Eastern folk. The men are tall,
not bad Y made, and have slender limbs.
The women are shorter, and are fond Of
finery, such as cay-colored dresses,
bangles, and chains. They are partial
to music and dancing, but their tom tom,
as they call their drun-like instrument,
gives out dull and tiresome sound
which soon gets monotolous; aGd their
dancers are not as a rule so agile, grace
full, and clever as the IIindoo daucers Of
Ldia.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-09-29
pOlitenesS.

1t il sail that Louis XIV, the most
naughty and magnificent monarch Of
modern times, used to lit his nat even
to the female servants of his court. II
so, no man need think t at he derogates
from his dignity by keeping his hat off
in respectabl: shop when he is served
by woman. Even in business inter
course po.itencss need not be banished.
In England. for instance, checks are
marked. "Pay to-" In France they
are wordel, "Veuillez payer'-"Please
to pay" Kindly pay" etc. Chicago
Tribune.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-09-29
Experience,

Don't lose your temper or your time,
Or fret your soul minute,
Because this good old roomy world
Has foolish people in it.
By not one wholly useless weed
The fertile earth is cumbered;
Then count not these can do no good,
Or with them you'll be numbered.
II all began by being wise,
Each one his sphere adorning,
From wisdom's way we yet might stray
For lack of proper warning;
But Nature kindly sets her signs
On Dangers chosen dwelling;
Without them, what would come to US,
There isn't any telling.
Just reckon up your foolish friends,
Each ones peculiar failing,
And Of that folly cure yourself
At which in them you're railing;
While if you find some luckless one
The same all through and over,
You'd better far be unlike him
Than find four-leaved clover.
] lay no claim to any store
Of philosophic knowledge,
But this I've learned by studies in
That best but dearest college;
Perhaps you think that school is meant
For other people only;
Or, maybe, your are wise in truth
But don't you find it lonelya
Miriam 4. Davis, in Frank Leslic's.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-09-29
HUMOROUS.

Electricity isl very serious matter, and
get Edison makes light OF it.
An Electric ''B lle" female op'
orator at the telegraph office.
A bald-headed book-kcepcr should
never try to wipe his pen on his hair,
In the bright lexicon of speculation
there Is nothing so uncertain as sure
thing.
Hardly anybody would care to change
places with the turtle, and yet he has q
great snap.
English statesmen live longer than
American statesmen, but they don't have
so much fun.
81 aim to tell the truth" "Yes," in
terruptcd an acquaintance, ''but you ore
very bad shot"
"Can you recommend for me good
home course of botany7' asks corre-
spondent. Yes, the flour barrel.
CaIly-NTss Peterson has remarkably
small eyes. Dllly-Ycs, they look small,
but she has had young man in 'cm for
a long time.
There is one advantage, said Mr..
Jones, in having common, prosy name.
You are in no danger of having itspclled
wrong in the papers.
A girl who was told by an old boat
man to be sure and have her boat we'll
trimmed went to work and scwcd two
silk flounces around the gunwale.
The King of Spain, although but little
more than one year old, is general off,
Ger iu tho Spanish army. OF course ho
is in the infantry service. Hc has becn
in arms all his lie.
A clergyman on sultry afternoon
paused in his sermon and said: II saw
an advertisement for 500 slcepcrs for q
railroad. I think could supply at least
fifty and recommend them as good and
soundw
Wife (.t breakfasN. 81 want to do
some shopping today, dear, if the
weather is favorable. What are tho
probabilitles?" Husband, Consult ng
his paper. Rain, hail, thunder, and
lightning"
"Ain't you in, Maria?" he qucricd. as
he fumbled around with the iatchkey
mo, amt. I'm out. Out of sugar,
out of tea, ont of flour, and out Of
patience" snapped female yoice from
an upper window.
She-You visited the Italian cities
while abroad, OF course, Mr.. Smith2 He
% yes. She-Isn't Naples an inter-
csti lg place? Hc-It is, indeed. staid
there nearly two weeks, just on account
of the macaroni.
A doctor who had been attending q
dairyman's hired girl called at the house
the other day. Flows your milkmaid"
he asked of the farmer when he came to
| the door. 'Its none OF your business
how our milk is made" was the indig-
nant response, aud the door slammed
most emphatically.
| Up from the rtlstling corn-feld
The crow flies toward the sun,
For he smells the black gunpowder,
And the screened small boy with gun.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-09-29
CMt.

Many OF my readers know that "cwt"
stands for "hundredweight," for have
they not used it themselves when doing
their sumsl But ! think few could tell
how this strange sign came to be en-
ployed. And yet when they learn its
meaning they will find it very simple.
c stands for hundred" 1t is the first
letter of the Latin word centum, hun
dred. If you will look in your Bible
you will notice that the hundredth
psalm is marked Psalm c." Then
''wt." is merely short for weight
Thus you have ''hundredweight" (cwt.).
= Little Folks.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-09-29
A Happy Thought.

81 don't see why your friend Miss
Smith referred to my InouStache as
down. M,ude," said young Sissy to
his pretty cousin. There is nothing of
the down about it; it quite bristlrs. l
have to shave twice a week, l assure
you"
az know it bristles, Charley re-
turned the girl knitting her brows, al
though not very ficrccly. and | am as
much perplexed as you are to understand
why Clara should speak OF it as down.
Sudden happy thought) Perhaps,
Charley, it's because it grows on "a
goose New YORK Sun.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-09-29
The Business for the Boy,

Fond Mother-Pa, what business do
you think we ought to start Willie d in I
He's getting to be IS years ola and
ought to get into something.
Fond Father-lt's hard telling what
he's fitted for.
Fond Mother-Yes, he's as proud as
Luci!er, lut he's as neat as wax.
Fond Father-Well. then, let's start
him In the match business.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-09-29
The Passing Bell.

In olden times they used to ring the
bell when the hour hld arrived for the
court to come in and hold its sessions,
as they ought to do now for the court OF
common p.els.
as that the Passing belll" inquired
q venerabl, stranger visit 2 the town.
"Ycs, sir it Is" replied a wag of a
lawyer, ''the Passing bell 1t is the
signal for you to come and pass your
property into the hands of your law
yers."-INew London Day.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-09-29
PRICE THREE CENTS.
Night on the Farm.

'Tis dcwfall on the lonely firm,
The flocks are gathered in the fold,
The duslsy air is soft as balm,
The daisies hide their hearts Of gold.
Slow, drowsy, swinging bells are heard
In pastures dewy, dark and dim,
And in the door-yard trees, bird
Trills sleepily his evening hymn
The dark, blue deeps are full of stars;
One lone lamp, in the hillside gloom
A mile away is red as Mars;
The night is faint with sweet perfumes
At bedtime in the quiet house,
Up through the wide old rooms l 60,
Without lamp-and not mouse
Is stirring. Louily. to and fro,
The old clock ticks, and easterly
The ancient windows open high;
Here the suns kiss will waken me,
With bird-songs yelling up the SKY.
-tNew England Farmsr
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-09-29
A Land of Onious

1t is to be noted that Egypt is again
becoming land Of onion culture. Large
quantities are yearly shipped to Europe
from Alexandria aud other ports. A
few years ago the tiade hardly existed.
while in two months of last year alone
IA, 900 tons were shipped to Liverpool
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-09-29
A MAGNIFICENT Lemon.

Our friend Thomas c. Dixon, showed
us magnificent lemon which he had
gathered from tree of his own raising.
1t was inches long and II 1-s inches
In circumference and weighed over IA
ounces. We were astonished to find that
1t was possible to raise such fruit in
Chatham county. 1t is of excellent
quality. and Mr.. Dixon's tree bears about
two dozen year-[Pittsboro (N. c.
Home,
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-09-29
Proof Of Devotion.

"And do you really love me Gcorger
she asked,
Love your repeated George fer
vently. why, while / was bidding
you goodbye on the porch last night,
dear, the dog bit large chunk out of
my leg, and never noticed it till got
home. Love your Bazaar.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-09-29
What Made Her Nervous.

Old lady-Conductor. l hope there
Ism going to be a collision.
Coaducto7-I hole not.
Old lady-I want you to be very kecr-
full I've got two dozen eggs in this
basket.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-09-29
THE LONDONDERRY SITTER.

Entered at the Pos, office at South
Londonderry, as second Glass matter.